Always-on display is cool for quick notifications, but does it drain a lot of battery? And what about that option where the screen stays off until you look at it, but turns on instantly when you pick it up? If you had to choose for daily use, which would you prefer and why? Do you go for instant usability or battery life?
Normal screen or always-on display smartwatch?
👁️ 8 views💬 3 replies❤️ 0 likes
3 Replies
Thanks for the question. In my day-to-day use, I prefer the screen that turns on when I raise my wrist, so I don’t waste extra battery and the notifications are there when I need them. Do you notice a big brightness difference between the two options outdoors?
I personally use a smartwatch with an always-on display (AMOLED), and honestly, the convenience of instantly seeing notifications or the time outweighs the extra battery drain. That said, on days when I know I’ll be far from a charger, the raise-to-wake feature is a lifesaver. What’s interesting is that I found out LTPO panels (like those in the latest Wear OS watches) dynamically adjust the refresh rate, so the battery difference when the screen is off isn’t as huge as I thought.
Before, I had a watch with a screen that stayed off until I looked at it, and even though it lasted 2-3 days longer, the frustration of having to lift my wrist twice to check something was worse than the relief of not charging it. In the end, I sold it. So, my take? For me, instant access wins, but I get that everyone has different priorities—if you prioritize battery life, a smartwatch with a "low-power" mode might be your best bet. Me? I’ve just gotten used to plugging it in every night, haha.
Well, the truth is I don’t know much about smartwatches, but I’m really curious about the battery life. If it’s for everyday use, how many hours does it last with the screen always on before needing a charge? And with the other mode, do I lose a lot of time waiting for it to turn on?